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| South Korean and U.S. troops conduct Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, their annual combined training involving field maneuvers, Aug. 26, 2022. Korea Times file |
By Lee Hae-rin
South Korea and the United States will commence their annual large-scale joint military exercise, known as the Freedom Shield (FS) drills, on Monday.
The exercise, which is the longest-ever operational exercise conducted by the two allies, will continue until March 23, according to military authorities, Sunday.
The 11-day non-stop exercise will feature live simulations of new war scenarios, which reflect the changing security environment, such as the North's nuclear threats and the war in Ukraine, according to the military.
The drills will include field training exercises on the Korean Peninsula under the name Warrior Shield FTX, the purpose of which is to enhance military cooperation between the two countries in the air, on land, at sea, in space, cyberspace and for special operations.
The joint drill has already drawn strong opposition from North Korea, which said it will take "important, practical" measures for the "offensive use" of war deterrents via Pyongyang's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Sunday.
North Korea is widely expected to conduct weapons tests when the allies conduct their combined military drills. Pyongyang has been denouncing the allies' joint military exercises as a rehearsal for an invasion.
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